Apparatus for mounting a solar panel or other article to a roof or other structure

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for mounting an article to a roof includes a base plate, threaded stud, lag bolts, spacer, and flashing. The base plate includes bolt holes to accommodate the lag bolts to secure the base plate to the roof. The threaded stud is secured to and extends vertically from the base plate. The spacer is inserted over the stud so that the stud passes through an aperture in the spacer, and is secured by a nut. The spacer acts as a lift for mounting an article up off the roof, thereby permitting drainage. The spacer includes a recess to accommodate the head of a lag bolt. The wrap-around flashing is captured between the base plate and spacer, creating a water free environment underneath the assembled unit. The flashing slides up underneath the roofing shingles to prevent water from penetrating the structure, and includes a lip to accommodate the base plate, and a detent to accommodate the bolt heads beneath it.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/641,198, filed 04 Jan.2005.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to construction materials andmounting hardware, and more particularly to an improved apparatus formounting a solar panel or other article to a roof or other structure.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Installing a solar panel or other article to the roof of a building canbe problematic. For example, simply bolting the article to thebuilding's roof trusses may create an entry point for precipitation. Inaddition, securing the article too close to the roof may obstruct properdrainage and create a water dam, thereby increasing the likelihood ofleakage and premature roof deterioration.

The foregoing discussion reflects the current state of the art of whichthe present inventors are aware. Reference to, and discussion of, thisinformation is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledgedduty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to theexamination of claims to the-present invention. However, it isrespectfully submitted that none of the known prior art discloses,teaches, suggests, shows, or otherwise renders obvious, either singly orwhen considered in combination, the invention described and claimedherein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus for mounting a solar panel or other article to a roof orother structure of the present invention includes a base plate, threadedstud, lag bolts, spacer, and flashing. The base plate includes boltholes to accommodate the lag bolts to secure the base plate to the roof.The threaded stud is secured to and extends vertically from the baseplate. The spacer is inserted over the stud so that the stud passesthrough an aperture in the spacer, and is secured by a nut. The spaceracts as a lift for mounting an article up off the roof, therebypermitting drainage below the article and preserving the roof. Thespacer preferably includes a recess to accommodate the head of a lagbolt beneath it when installed. The wrap-around flashing component iscaptured between the base plate and spacer, creating a water freeenvironment underneath the assembled unit. The flashing slides upunderneath the roofing shingles (if any) to prevent water frompenetrating the structure, and includes a lip to accommodate the baseplate, and a detent to accommodate the bolt heads beneath it.

The inventive apparatus thus provides a roof and/or structure mountingsystem that is self-contained and incorporates positive waterproofingfeatures designed to weather the most difficult environments. Theinventive apparatus may be used to mount solar photovoltaic panels,solar water panels, AC units, TV antennas, satellites, guide wiresupports, or other articles to roofs and/or other structures.

The apparatus also thus provides a waterproof method of mounting objectsto roofs and/or structures with a low profile aspect, minimuminstallation space, and minimal labor and materials. In addition, thepre-fabricated wrap-around flashing component of the apparatusintegrates the mounting system along with waterproofing. Positivewaterproofing is accomplished by mechanical attachment only, requiringno exterior sealants, and provides a lifetime UV resistant surface.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved mounting apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved apparatus to mount solar panels to a roof or other structure.

A further object or feature of the present invention is a new andimproved waterproof mounting apparatus for solar panels and otherarticles.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novelroof mount that spaces the article from the roof.

Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as toorganization and method of operation, together with further objects andadvantages thereof will be better understood from the followingdescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way ofexample. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawingsare for illustration and description only and are not intended as adefinition of the limits of the invention. The various features ofnovelty which characterize the invention are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of thisdisclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features takenalone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structuresfor the functions specified.

There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof that followsmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which thisdisclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designingof other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the severalpurposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that theclaims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar asthey do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The Abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of this application, which is measured by the claims, nor isit intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the followingdescription for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting.For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right”would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is madeunless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward”would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, thegeometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof.References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa,unless otherwise noted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the base plate, threaded stud, lag bolt,and spacer components of an apparatus for mounting a solar panel orother article to a roof or other structure of this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wrap-around flashing component ofthe apparatus being captured between the base plate and spacer, with thethreaded stud extending through the aperture of the spacer for securingby a nut.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein like reference numerals refer tolike components in the respective views, there is illustrated therein anew and improved apparatus for mounting a solar panel or other articleto a roof or other structure, generally denominated 8 herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the base plate 10, threaded stud 11, lagbolts 14, and spacer 12 components of the apparatus 8, shown adjacentroof truss or other structure 15. Base plate 10 is preferablyconstructed of stainless steel or similar material, and may measure 1.63inches wide×5.1 inches long. Base plate 10 includes bolt holes 10 a, 10b to accommodate lag bolts 14. Bolt hole 10 b may be keyhole-shaped toenable adjustment of the base plate during installation. Stud 11 ispreferably a ⅜″ stud also made of stainless steel or similar material,and is preferably fitted and welded into base plate 10.

Spacer 12 is preferably constructed of aluminum or similar material, andmay measure 1.63 inches wide×2.18 inches long×1.40 inches high. Spacer12 is inserted over stud 11 so that the stud passes through aperture 12a. The spacer 12 acts as a lift for mounting an article up off the roofor structure, thereby permitting drainage below the article andpreserving the roof. Spacer 12 preferably includes a recess 12 b toaccommodate the head of a lag bolt 14 when installed.

Lag bolts 14 secure the base plate to the roof or structure. Theapparatus preferably utilizes at least two lag bolts per base plate, andare preloaded during installation to ensure that the base plate securesto the roof or other structure both tight and flat.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wrap-around flashing component 13 ofthe apparatus being captured between the base plate 10 and spacer 12,with the threaded stud 11 extending through the aperture 12 a of thespacer 12 for securing by a nut 11 a. Spacer 12 secures the wrap-aroundflashing 13 (constructed of metal or similar material) in place and tothe base plate 10 and stud 11, creating a water free environmentunderneath the assembled unit. Flashing 13 slides up underneath theroofing shingles (if any) to prevent water from penetrating thestructure. The flashing 13 preferably includes a lip 13 a to accommodatethe base plate 10, and a raised area or detent 13 b to accommodate thebolt heads beneath it. The flashing may be colored, coated, or otherwisemodified to match the appearance of the surrounding roof shingles.

An article such as a solar panel (not shown) may be supported by andsecured to the spacer and/or stud by various means well known in theart.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill inthe art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode ofpracticing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. Whilethere is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferredembodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the inventionto the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operationshown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions,changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the artand may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spiritand scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternativematerials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms,functions, operational features or the like.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined bythe appended claims.

1. An apparatus for mounting an article to a roof, said apparatuscomprising: a base plate, said base plate including at least one bolthole; at least one lag bolt to secure said base plate to the roof; athreaded stud secured to and extending vertically from said base plate;a spacer including an aperture for passage of said threaded stud; andflashing captured between said base plate and said spacer to preventwater from penetrating the roof.
 2. The apparatus for mounting anarticle to a roof of claim one wherein said spacer includes a recess toaccommodate the head of a lag bolt.
 3. The apparatus for mounting anarticle to a roof of claim one wherein said flashing includes a lip toaccommodate said base plate.
 4. The apparatus for mounting an article toa roof of claim one wherein said flashing includes a detent toaccommodate a bolt head.
 5. The apparatus for mounting an article to aroof of claim one wherein said bolt hole is keyhole-shaped to enableadjustment of said base plate during installation.